Was Odard, First Lord of Dutton, a Distant Relative of William the Conqueror?

Edward Dutton, University of Oulu

Abstract
According to the Dutton tree researched by antiquarian P. H. Lawson, Odard, first Lord of the Manor of Dutton in Cheshire and progenitor of the noted Gentry family the Duttons of Dutton, was related to William the Conqueror on his mother’s and on his father’s side. This article reviews the evidence and argues that Odard was not related to the Conqueror on his mother’s side. Regarding his father’s side, the evidence is perhaps most parsimoniously explained by Odard indeed being a distant relative of the Conqueror’s. However this conclusion is only fractionally more persuasive than the opposite one and accordingly there is good reason to seriously doubt it and reserve judgement.

Cite as: Edward Dutton, "Was Odard, First Lord of Dutton, a Distant Relative of William the Conqueror?," Annals of Genealogical Research Vol. 8, No. 1 (2012) at http://www.genlit.org/agr/viewarticle.php?id=42